Unicorn Embassy

ENRU

Yan Nerovny

Yan Nerovny

Founder, Unicorn Embassy

Everywhere

Yan Nerovny is the founder of Unicorn Embassy — an international community-first startup ecosystem. Since 2023, UE has run 150+ events across six countries (Yerevan, Tbilisi, Belgrade, Dubai, Toronto, Bali) and built one of the most active networks of post-USSR diaspora founders.

Yan has been in tech since 17. Frontend, then engineering management, then product. Worked at Tinkoff (Russia's largest digital bank) and EPAM, ran his own startups in between. Eight years in, the work he keeps coming back to is shipping product for cross-border companies — same job most UE founders are trying to do.

Inside UE he runs pitch sessions where pre-seed startups meet real investors, hosts the UE podcast on diaspora tech, and keeps the network honest — no spam, no LinkedIn theatre, no "five tips from top founders."

Yan left Russia in 2022 and treats Unicorn Embassy as a bet — that products built by post-USSR diaspora founders, the ones who chose to leave, can compete on the global stage.

Right now he's looking for his next product leadership role (Head of Product / Head of Technical Product Management) in Europe, while Unicorn Embassy keeps growing in parallel.

Where to find Yan Nerovny

Articles by Yan Nerovny

April 16, 2026The best cities for startup founders in 2026 (if you're actually building, not just talking)Nine cities where founders actually meet, build, and pitch — with honest pros and cons for each. No listicle fluff.

April 16, 2026Best European cities for tech founders relocating in 2026An opinionated guide to the best European cities for tech founders relocating — Berlin, Lisbon, Belgrade, Valencia, Istanbul, and more. Real tradeoffs.

April 16, 2026Digital nomad vs founder: why treating them the same is killing your companyThe nomad lifestyle and building a real company are fundamentally incompatible. Why so many digital nomad founders quietly fail and what works instead.

April 16, 2026How to find a cofounder when you're building from abroadThe tactical guide to finding a cofounder outside your home country — through community, pitch sessions, and showing up.

April 16, 2026How to pitch early-stage investors (from someone who watches hundreds of pitches)What actually works when you pitch early-stage investors — a concrete 5-minute pitch structure, the mistakes that kill your deals, and how to own Q&A.

April 16, 2026Startup community Dubai: the honest guide for founders in 2026How to plug into the real startup community Dubai — which events, free zones, and investors actually matter. An honest ground-level guide for founders.

April 16, 2026Startup community in Istanbul: the honest guide for foundersHow to plug into Istanbul's startup scene — where founders meet, how investors work, and what most guides won't tell you.

April 16, 2026Startup community in Tbilisi: why founders keep moving to GeorgiaThe real story of Tbilisi's startup scene — who's here, what works, what doesn't, and how to plug in from day one.

April 16, 2026What makes a great pitch session (and why most are terrible)Most pitch nights are open mic with free beer. Here's what a real pitch session looks like — and how to prepare for one.

April 16, 2026Why most startup communities are trash (and what actually works)Most startup communities are WhatsApp spam, LinkedIn theatre, and dead alumni networks. Here's what separates a real startup community from the noise.

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